Banuelos not traded, promote to Scranton

By Ken MandelCorrespondent

Sunday

Jul 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMJul 31, 2011 at 10:00 PM

?TRENTON — Manny Banuelos received congratulatory hugs and handshakes from well-wishing Trenton Thunder teammates late Sunday afternoon, as the final minutes ticked down to baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline.

“Did you hear Manny got traded...to the Scranton Yankees?” catcher Ryan Baker said to no one in particular.

After weeks of speculation that linked the prized left-handed prospect to Colorado, San Diego and other ports of call, Banuelos instead departed for a new challenge against Triple-A hitters.

Resisting the temptation to use Banuelos, Dellin Betances and other prospects to plug big-league holes, the Yankees pushed Banuelos up another rung. He is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies’ top affiliate.

“I’m so excited,” said Banuelos, who is 4-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 20 starts. “I’ve been waiting for this. It’s another step. It’s great for me. I hope to be consistent.”

During his quick ascent through the organization, the 20-year-old has struggled with his command at times this season, walking 52 batters in 95 1/3 innings, but has pitched out of jams with a blazing fastball, striking out 94.

His overall performance warranted a call-up.

“I’m happy he’s gone,” manager Tony Franklin said. “I think he’s pitched his last game here in Trenton. You challenge talented people. When you do that, they respond. Manny is capable of meeting those challenges.”

Banuelos may soon be joined by fellow pitching prospect Betances, who’s travelled a similar accelerated path, and catcher Austin Romine, whose ascent would be connected to Jesus Montero being summoned to New York.

The 23-year-old Betances also remained with the Yankees post deadline, keeping the Bronx-native’s dream of pitching in Yankee Stadium alive. Ultimately, he and Banuelos hope to one day be part of the rotation.

“We always talk about it,” Betances said. “We both want to pitch at Yankee Stadium and play for New York. Who doesn’t? They are the dream team.”

Banuelos will reportedly be transitioned into a bullpen role in Triple-A and could emerge as a relief candidate for the Yankees in September.

Considering he eyed making it to the Majors as a goal in Spring Training, that plan is perfect.

“To pitch in the big leagues this year is still my goal,” he said. “Hopefully I will get there soon.”

Garrison returns

Called to the Yankees July 20, Steve Garrison returned to Trenton this weekend and started Sunday’s game.

While with New York, the Ewing, N.J., native realized his dream of pitching in the big leagues, working 2/3 of an inning in a blowout win over Seattle last Monday.

Other than that, Garrison hadn’t pitched since July 15 against Reading. He worked off some rust in a 5-0 loss to the Richmond Flying Squirrels, allowing three runs in three innings, then was lifted for Craig Heyer, Sunday’s scheduled starter.

He’ll never forget his 10 days in the show.

“It was awesome,” he said. “It was a lot of fun. Being around it during the season and seeing how things work was really cool. I learned a lot.”

Extras

Lefty Brad Halsey was sent to Single-A Tampa to make room for Garrison. ... Cory Arbiso will likely start Tuesday in place of Banuelos, with Garrison eventually sliding into the rotation.

Ken Mandel can be reached at sports@phillyburbs.com.

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